Brisbane captain Adam Reynolds and star forward Pat Carrigan have been handed heavy fines but avoided suspension but for their late-night scuffle last weekend.
The Broncos teammates were captured on CCTV in a drunken wrestle during a night on the town in Brisbane nightlife district Fortitude Valley last weekend.
Reynolds and Carrigan fronted the media on Tuesday to explain and apologise for their actions, while coach Kevin Walters was also questioned about the club’s culture.
Several Brisbane players were present on the night out and tried to break up the push-and-shove, with Reece Walsh and Payne Haas also getting involved.
But only Reynolds and Carrigan have been fined, with $5,000 and $10,000 sanctions proposed by the NRL, according to The SMH.
It means they’re free to travel to Las Vegas next week for Brisbane’s historic season opener against the Roosters on March 3.
“We’re embarrassed and take full ownership of what happened,” Reynolds said
“We’re a really tight group, we understand it’s not a good look. We were there as mates, it started out as a playful fight, there was a bit of wrestle, it got a bit heated, but nobody was injured … we understand it’s not a good look, and we take ownership of it.”
The duo found a supporter in NRL icon James Graham blasted the reaction to scuffle as “just bollocks”.
“All that’s going to come at this is now the Broncos players aren’t going to be able to go anywhere or if they do it’s going to be (restricted),” Graham said.
“This is where rugby league’s going to go and I fear for the game. It’s going to be all roped off and you’re not going to see them knocking around in places … they’re trying to keep that normality and working class connection.
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